Apparatus for dispensing gas material



APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING GAS MATERIAL Filed March 3, 1933 INVENTOR- TI'ORN EYS Patented Jan. 9, 1 934 PATENT orrlcs APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING GAS MATERIAL Leo 1'. Dana, Buflalo, N. Y., assignor to The Lind-e Air Products Company, New York, N. lY.,

\ a corporation of Ohio Application March 3, 1933. Serial No. 659,483

10 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing gas material, particularly gas material which is conveyed and stored in a liquid phase, and has for its object generally the provision of 5 suitable and efficient means for effecting the discharge of gas to consuming apparatus at a plurality of desired pressure values;

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide means for effecting withdrawal of gas material from liquid and gas storage means, whereby the pressures are automatically controlled and gas is discharged to consuming apparatus at different desired pressure values in substantial amounts.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for the rapid vaporization of gas material at relatively high pressuresin conjunction with liquid and gas phase storage means, which supplies relatively large volumes of vaporized gas at a substantially constant lower pressure upon demand.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

This application is for an improvement upon the apparatus of co-pending application Serial No. 624,675, filed by L. C. Updegrafi July 26, 1932.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

The figure is a view mainly diagrammatic, parts being shown in section and parts being shown in elevation, of apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

Liquefied gases intended for industrial consumption, for example, liquid oxygen, are conveyed in the liquid phase within containers adapted for transport purposes to the place where they are to be consumed. The liquefied gas may there be transferred from the container in which it was transported to a storage container at the place of consumption, or the liquefied gas may be stored in the container in which it was transported, where it is left at the consumer's plant and connected to the system for consumption.

In the present invention, gas material is stored in the liquid phase and converted into the gas phase at a convenient moderately high pressure for use in consuming apparatus, there being heating means associated with the gas distributing system, in order to accomplish the conversion into the gas phase, as desired. Here, it is proposed to use in an economical manner more than one variety of vaporizing means, one of which is specially designed for vaporizing the gas material at relatively high pressuresin order to supply certain high pressure consuming devices, for ex- 65 ample, cylinders which are to be transported, and the like.

Referring now to the drawing, 10 denotes generally a container for storing liquefied gas in a condition substantially insulated fromthe infiuence of heat from external sources; such container is frequently referred to in the art as a cold converter. The container illustrated comprises an inner vessel 11 which holds the liquefied gas and has a mantle of insulating material 12 substantially completely enveloping the same. The vessel and the insulating material are supported implace by an outer jacket or casing 13, which is designed to stand on a suitable foundation or ground support for the container. The vessel 11 is designed to withstand the desired maximum pressure that may develop within the same, and in consequence, is generally of a thickwalled construction. Liquefied gas within the same may come in direct contact with the wall of the vessel, 9r it may be contained within a lining or basket supported in spaced relation to the wall of the vessel 11. The use of baskets, however, is old in the art and illustration thereof in connection with the vessel 11 has here been omitted in the interested clearness in the drawing. The container 10 is also provided with filling means, as shown at 14, and with a gas and liquid phase withdrawal system, as hereinafter described.

Gas material in the gas phase is withdrawn directly-through conduit 15 which is here shown as leading to a heating coil 16, where the gas material is heated, and then discharged either to a supply conduit 17 which leads to consuming apparatus, or to a gas storage container or receiver 18 of desired capacity.

Gas material in the liquid phase is withdrawn through a conduit 19 which extends into the vessel 11 to a point near the bottom thereof and conducts liquefied gas to a heating coil 20. From the latter, the gas material is reconveyed to the vessel 11 in such a manner as to impart to the latter a portion or all of the heat supplied in coil 20. This transfer of heat may be accomplished 0 in any convenient manner, for example, by causing the heated gas material to pass through a submerged heating coil 21, from whence it is conveyed by conduit 22 to heating coil 23. Here, the gas material is converted completely into vapor and supplied through a conduit 24 to a consumers pipe line, here denoted 25. The heat may be supplied to the heating coils 16, 20 and 23 in any convenient manner, for example, from the atmosphere. It is preferred, however, that an auxiliary heating means he provided, for example, an electric heating coil as depicted symbolically at 26 and supplied with electric current from electric supply buses 27.

In the practice of the present invention, it is also desired to provide converting means for sup; plying vaporized gas material at pressures materially greater than obtain in the cold converter or in coils 20 and 23, whereby high pressure consuming devices may be supplied in desired quantities upon demand. To this end converting means, designed to gasify the liquefied gas in a closed chamber and absorb heat in desired quantities from a suitable medium to obtain the de-- sired hIigh'pressure is provided, for example a pair of closed Vaporizers as shown at 30 and 30, which are adapted to be heated when submerged in a suitable water bath, as indicated in broken lines. These closed vaporizers are frequently referred to in the art as warm converters and comprise relatively thick-walled outer vessels of the pressure variety, having relatively thin-walled inner vessels or baskets for receiving the liquefled gas, vaporization taking place when the outer vessel is warmed. Such devices are of wellknown construction in the art and are shown, for example in the Letters Patent reissued to Heylandt as reissue No. 18,476.

The closedvaporizers or converters 30 and 30' are preferably duplicates in construction and are adapted to be supplied with liquefied gas from the container 10. To accomplish this readily, the vessel 11 is shown as provided with a second liquid phase withdrawal connection 32 leading from a point near the bottom thereof, and has a flexible connection 33 leading from the outer end thereof to the converter 30. This connection is detachably interposed between the container and converter, two valves being preferably interposed to control this connection, namely, .a valve 34 shown in the conduit 32 adjacent the container, and a valve 35 in the fllling nipple on the converter 30; the converter 30" having a similar nipple and valve 35' for use when fllling connections are established to it.

' The gas generated in these converters is led away through manifold connection 36, a connection 37 and a main supply connection '38, which is shown as leading to the receiver 18, controlled by a valve 39, and provided with an extension 38', which has a branch 38" leading to a cylinder filling manifold 40; the extension 38' leading to the consumer's pipe line 25. A valve 41 controls the cylinder fllling manifold and a valve 42 controls the portion of the extension 38' which leads to the consumerspipe line. The release of gas material from the converters at 30 and 30' to the manifold 36 is controlled by valves 43 and 43',which valves are preferably. interlocked, so that when one is opened, the other is closed. This may be accomplished in any convenient manner, for example, by the provision of quick acting right and left hand valves which are operated by a single manual grip, as indicated at 44inthedrawlng. Inthismanner,itisinsured that when one'converter is in operation and arranged to discharge, it will discharge into the main connection and not into the other converter which may be held as a spare. The cylinders 45, comprising storage means in addition to that at 18; are fllled' from the high pressure manifold 40, and may be of any desired size and variety. As' shown, they comprise the commercial high pressure variety made of drawn seamless steel arranged to receive the gas evolved from the warm converters at the full pressure developed therein. While connected to the system, these cylinders serve as storage means, but they may be detached to serve local consuming apparatus that is not conveniently serviced from the consumer's pipe line 25. a

In the prior application, above referred to, the regasifled gas material is supplied to the consumers pipe line at a substantially constant predetermined desired pressure. To achieve that end, pressure regulators are inserted in the supply connections. Accordingly, the supply connection 17 is here shown as provided with a pressure regulating valve 46, which may be of any conventional variety. In'like manner, the supply connection 24 is shown provided with a pressure regulating valve 4'7, while the main supply extension-38' is shown as provided with a pressure regulating valve 48. In order also to control selectively the source from which the regasifled material is supplied to the consumer's pipe line 25, back pressure valves are employed. One is inserted in the. supply connection 1'7 at 49, and may likewise be of any convenient variety and is conventionally depicted. A second back pressure valve 50 is inserted in the main supply extension 38' which is similar to thevalve at 49, except that it is preferably set to open before the back pressure valve in the receiver supply connection 1'7. For example, if the pressure regulators 46 and 48 are set to supply gas at 155 lbs. gage pressure to the consumers pipe line, then the back pressure valve 49 will preferably be set to open at 175 lbs. gage pressure, while the back pressure valve 50 would be set to open at a pressure in the neighborhood of 160 lbs. gage pressure. The pressure regulator 47 need not be set to supply gas material at the same pressure that the regulators 46 and 48 are, and may be set at a lower pressure, for example, 150 lbs. gage pressure.

In operation, the apparatus of the present invention is adapted to supply gas material in the gas and liquid phases to the consumers pipe line 25 through the connections 15 and 19, respectively, which are heated sothat moderately high pressures may be generated. When gas consumption ceases, the gas material, particularly that in the gas phase, is delivered to the receiver 18.

When it is desired to generate gas at a relatively high pressure, a warm converter is fllled, for example, that at 30; this 'converter being connected to the container 10 by the flexible connection 33, which is preferably constructed to withstand a moderately high pressure, for example, 350 lbs. per square inch, then by opening the valves 34 and 35, liquid may flow from the container into thewarm converter. This flow will take place provided the pressure in the warm converter is somewhat below the pressure in the container 10. The pressure conditions in the two devices may be readily ascertained by means of suitable manometers, not shown in the interests of clearness of illustration. Flow of liquid into the converter will be materially facilitated by opening valves 52, 43, and 39. This will allow the gases formed in 30 when the cold liquid impinges on the basket and formed due to heat leak while filling to be vented to the receiver and top of liquid in 11. After the pressures are thus equalized, liquid will flow into converter 30 as a result of hydraulic head, the arrangement being such that the level of liquid in container 11 is at all times higher than thatin converter 30. After the warm converter is filled, the valves 34 and 35 are closed and the flexible connection disconnected. If, for any reason, the flexible connection should be left in place, and pressure should accumulate therein, a safety valve, as indicated at 51 adjacent the valve 34, will provide convenient release for the excess pressure. After the warm converter is filled, it may be connected directly to the cylinder manifold by opening valves 43 and 41, the valves at 39 and 42 being closed for this purpose. When the cylinders 45 have been filled, which may be at a relatively high pressure, for example, 2000 lbs. gage pressure, the warm converter can then be connected to supply the receiver 18. In this case, the valve 39 is opened and the valve 41 closed.

In the event that the receiver 18 is filled while consuming apparatus are drawing from the line 25, it is permissible to close the valve at 39 and open the valve 42, in order to connect the warm converter directly with the consumer's pipe line. When this connection is accomplished, it is seen that the back pressure valve opens to permit the supply to the consumers pipe line before the reserve in the receiver 18 is permitted to be drawn upon.

In the event that all liquid in a warm converter 30 has been vaporized, the pressure obtaining therein is higher than the pressure in the container 10, so that liquid cannot thereafter be supplied at first directly from the container. The pressure in the warm converter, however, may be reduced. This is accomplished by first establishing communication with the receiver 18 and permitting the excess gas to escape thereto and then by bleeding a further amount of the excess gas into empty cylinders that may be connected .to the manifold 40. When the pressure is sufiiciently reduced, connection with the container 10 is established through the flexible connection 33, as previously described. In this way, filling losses in the gas material from the warm converters are avoided.

By the arrangement herein provided, it is seen i that a supply of relatively high pressure gas is readily obtained from a gas distributing system in which the main supply of liquefied gas is stored and supplied only at moderately high pressure without the use of gas compressors or other mechanical means sometimes employed to give such high pressures, but which are likely to impair the quality of the relatively high pressure gas supplied.

Since certain changes in carrying out the above process and in the constructions set forth, which embody the invention, may be made without departing from its scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting. sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing gas material, comprising the combination With a container for liquefied gas, of a system connected to said container for supplying withdrawn gas material in the gas phase at one desired pressure to a consumer, means connected to said system for converting liquefied gas into gas at a second desired pressure, means for supplying liquefied gas from said container to said converting means, and means for withdrawing and storing temporarily the excess gas material in the gas phase from said converting means.

2. Apparatus for dispensing gas material, comprising the combination with a container for liquefied gas, of a system connected to said container for supplying withdrawn gas material in the gas phase to a consumer at a moderately high pressure, means connected to said system for converting liquefied gas into gas in the gas phase at a relatively high. pressure, disconnectable means for supplying liquefied gas from said container to said converting means, and means for withdrawing and storing temporarily the excess gas material in the gas phase whereby liquid may be introduced into said converting means without loss of said excess gas material.

3. Apparatus for dispensing gas material, comprising the combination with a container for liquefied gas, of a system connected to said container for supplying withdrawn gas material in the gas phase to a consumer at a moderately high pressure, a vessel of the pressure variety connected to said system provided with warming means for converting liquefied gas into gas material'in the gas phase at a relatively high pressure, means for withdrawing liquefied gas from said container and supplying the same to said vessel, and means for withdrawing and storing temporarily the excess gas material in the gas phase within said vessel whereby liquid may be introduced into said vessel without loss of said excess gas material.

4. Apparatus for dispensing gas material, comprising the combination with a container for liquefied gas, of a system connected to said container for supplying withdrawn gas material in the gas phase to a consumer, a plurality of closed vaporizing vessels adapted to be submerged in a warming bath connected to said system for converting liquefied gas into gas material in the gas phase, withdrawal means leading from said container and adapted to supply liquid to said vessels selectively, and means for withdrawing and storing temporarily the excess gas material in the gas phase from said vessels selectively whereby liquid may be introduced into said vessels without loss of said excess gas material.

5. Apparatus for dispensing gas material, comprising the combination with a container for liquefied gas, of a system connected to said container for supplying withdrawn gas material in the gas phase to a consumer, a pair of closed vaporizing vessels connected to said system for converting liquefied gas into gas material inthe gas phase, disconnectable means for supplying liquefied gas from said containerto said vessels selectively, and means correlated with said supply meansfor withdrawing and storing temporarily the excess gas material in the gas phase from the vessel selected to be filled prior to. the filling operation.

6. Apparatus for dispensing gas material, comprising the combination with a container for 1. .1 liquefied gas, of a system connected to said container for supplying withdrawn gas material in the gas phase to a consumer at a desired pressure, a pair of vessels of the pressure variety adapted to be submerged in a warming bath connected to material in the gas phase at a higher desired pressure, disconnectable means for supplying liquefied gas from said container to said vessels selectively, interlocked valves controlling the connection or said vessels to said system, and storage means connected to said vessels through said interlocked valves whereby the excess gas material in the gas phase in said vessels may be withdrawnand stored temporarily whereby liquid may be introduced without loss or said excess gas material.

"1. Apparatus for dispensing gas material comprising the combination with a container ior liquefied gas having a consumers supply main connected thereto and a gas receiver connected to said main, or means-tor automatically releasing a gas discharge through said main to consuming apparatus when the pressure within said receiver exceeds a desired working pressure, means for automatically releasing a liquid discharge to the consuming apparatus when the pressure within said gas receiver is lower than said working pressure, means for vaporizing the liquid so discharged, closed vaporizing means for converting-liquefied gas into gas in the gas phase at a pressure higher than said working pressure, means for supplying liquefied gas from said container to said converting means, and means for withdrawing and storing temporarily in said receiver the excess gas from said converting means.

8. Apparatus for dispensing gas material comprising the combination with a container for liquefied gas having a consumers supply main connected thereto and a gas receiver connected to said main, of means for automatically releasing a gas discharge through said main to con suming apparatus when the pressure within said receiver exceeds a desired working pressure, means for automatically releasing a liquid discharge to theconsuming apparatus when the pressure within said gas receiver is lowerthan said working pressure, means for vaporizing the liquid so discharged, closed vaporizing means for converting liquefied gas into gas in the gas phase at a pressure higher than said working pressure,

disconnectable means for supplying liquefied gas from said container to said converting means, and means for withdrawing and storing temporarily in said receiver the excess gas material in the gas phase generated in said converting means.

9. Apparatus for dispensing gas material comprising the combination with a container. for

, 1,948,059 said system for converting liquefied gasinto gas liquefied gas having-a consumers supply main connected thereto and a gas receiver connected to said main, of means for automatically releasing a gas discharge through said main to consuming apparatus when the pressure within said receiver exceeds a desired working pressure, means for automatically releasing a liquid discharge to the consuming apparatus when the pressure within said gas receiver is lower than said working pressure, means lor vaporizing the 35 liquid so discharged, means including a plurality of pressure vessels adapted to be submerged in a warming bath arranged to generate gas at relatively high. pressures from charges of liquefied gas introduced therein, charging means leading from said container and adapted to supply a charge of liquefied gas to said vessels selectively, and means for withdrawing and storing temporarily in said receiver the excess gas material in the gas phase in said vessels whereby a charge of liquid may be introduced without loss of said excess gas material. I

10. Apparatus for dispensing gas material comprising the combination with a container for liquefied gas having a consumers supply main 106 connected thereto and a gas receiver connected to said main, of means for automatically releasing a gas discharge through said main to consuming apparatus when the pressure within said receiver exceeds a desired working pressure, means 1'35 for automatically releasing a liquid discharge to the consuming apparatus when the pressure within said gas receiver is lower than said working pressure, means for vaporizing the liquid so discharged, a pair of vessels of the pressure variety 110 each adapted to be submerged in a warming bath for generating gas at a relatively high pressure I from a charge of liquefied gas therein, disconnectable means for supplying a charge of liquefled gas drawn from said container to a selected 11 one of said vessels, connections including interlocking valves for supplyingthe gas generated in said vessels to said consumers supply main, and withdrawal connections leading from said supply connection to said receiver through said 2) interlocked valves whereby the excess gas material in the gas phase in said vessels may be selectively withdrawn and stored temporarily while a charge of liquid from said container is being introduced. 1

, Lao 1.13am. 

